In the first decade of the 20th century, the US Navy embarked on a policy of forcibly segregating Chamorros suspected of having Hansen’s disease (leprosy) from the rest of Guam’s population, and sending them to live in leper colonies such as the one established at Ypao, Tumon or as far away as on the island of Culion in the Philippines.
Leprosy – Local Reaction Read Post »
Spanish built first leprosarium. As early as the 1600s, Western explorers documented seeing Chamorros of the Mariana Islands afflicted with apparent Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. Still, it wasn’t until hundreds of years later that a government-sanctioned policy of seclusion and confinement of Hansen’s patients gained a foothold in Guam.
Leprosy – Hospitals and Colonies Read Post »
The first medical facilities and dispensaries of the US Naval Era (1898 – 1941) were established shortly after the Spanish American War in 1898, recorded as early as 1899. In this first year, Naval officials estimated that 1,141 indigenous CHamorus received medical care. Since roads remained under developed and hazardous, the Navy also provided a portable clinic that traveled to and from different points around the island.
The CHamoru women who were trained as nurse-midwives by the US Navy assisted with home births in Guam from approximately 1910 to 1967. CHamorus born on the island during this period were most likely to have been delivered by one of these nurse-midwives. These women, known in Guam as pattera, play a unique role in Guam’s history and culture.
Guam Pattera (Nurse Midwives) Read Post »
Ramon Manalisay Sablan (1902-1970) was the first CHamoru medical doctor. He is also remembered as an influential educator, politician, activist, linguist, and musician.
Dr. Ramon Manalisay Sablan Read Post »
Congress chartered the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross on 23 October 1916 with signatures of then President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary Charles L. Magee and American Red Cross Acting Chairman Eliot Wadsworth.
American Red Cross, Guam Chapter Read Post »
The ancient Chamorros/CHamorus were generally healthy people. They were well built and appeared to be very healthy by visitors to the islands. They did not suffer from diseases like smallpox, influenza or the plague until Westerners came to the island. However, it is documented that Hansen’s Disease or leprosy was present before European contact.
Suruhånu yan Amot (Healers and Medicine) Read Post »
The 19th century trepang trade was a profit-driven industry throughout the Pacific, most notably in Melanesia and the western Pacific, and lasted as a viable industry until the early 1940s. Today, it is a cottage industry in many parts of Melanesia.
The Treaty of Zaragoza was ratified in 1529 between the king of Spain and Emperor Charles V, and João III of Portugal, regarding the areas of influence of both countries in Asia in general and over the Moluccas, Indonesia (known as the Spice Islands) in particular.
Treaty of Zaragoza Read Post »
The Treaty of Tordesillas was ratified by the Crown of Castile and the King of Portugal in 1494. The treaty divided the newly discovered lands outside of Europe into two equal halves, the east side belonging to Portugal, and the west to Castile (later to become part of Spain). The Mariana Islands were on the Spanish side, thereby giving Spain the right to colonize the Marianas which they did 174 years later in 1668.
Treaty of Tordesillas Read Post »
